Drawal from Bina-Gwalior-Agra line caused grid failure?

Yogindra mohan

Patiala

The outage of 400 KV Bina-Gwalior-Agra for up-gradation since July 28 is likely to be the cause of two grid failures.

National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC) has now revised the limits of inter-regional power transmission from different 765 and 400 KV transmission lines in view of the recent grid failures. The NLDC has pointed out that in case of both grid failures, there was heavy power flow on the 400 KV Bina-Gwalior-Agra single circuit section crossing 1000 MW.

It may be mentioned that the 765 KV transmission line was being operated at 400KV. The second circuit of 400 KV Bina-Gwalior-Agra line was under outage since July 28 for up-gradation to 765 KV level. Grid failure was averted earlier at 1510 hours on July 29 under similar conditions.

A power sector expert said that since the up-gradation of 400 KV Bina-Agra transmission line is a planned work, it should have been taken during the lean period. It is well known that power load in northern region is at its peak during paddy sowing season. Moreover, the monsoon this year has been below normal and power demand surpassed utilities estimates.The NLDC in consultation with Central Electricity Authority and CTU has worked out the Short Term Open Access (STOA) approvals to be given by Regional Load Dispatch Centers. Further if at any time due to an emergency in the system, the RLDCs would take all actions necessary to ensure system security including curtailment of transactions.

The available margin for STOA from western grid to northern grid through 400 KV Bina-Gwalior-Agra line has been fixed at 790 MW. Similarly, the power transfer from eastern grid to northern grid has been fixed at 2492 MW.